West Berkshire Council has approved a new Procurement Strategy, including its Think Local and Social Value approach, to help more local SMEs, VCSE organisations and community suppliers access Council opportunities.

The strategy sets out how the Council will use its annual spend of around £200 million to deliver better value for residents, strengthen local supply chains, support the local economy and create wider benefits for West Berkshire communities.

At the heart of the approach is a commitment to Think Local: making procurement clearer, more accessible and more practical for small and medium-sized enterprises, voluntary and community organisations, charities, CICs, social enterprises and other local suppliers.

The Council wants to increase the proportion of spend with Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from 14 percent to 20 percent and grow opportunities for Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations. This means creating more chances for local firms and community suppliers to provide goods, works and services to the Council, while helping more public money stay in West Berkshire.

To help suppliers understand what the new strategy means in practice, the Council is hosting a free Meet the Buyer supplier day at Shaw House on Thursday 25 June, from 9.00am to 4.00pm.

• Hear what the new Procurement Strategy, Think Local approach and Social Value Strategy mean for suppliers
• Understand what the Council buys and where future opportunities may arise
• Learn how to find, register for and respond to tender opportunities
• Find out how social value can strengthen bids and support local community projects
• Meet Council representatives, procurement partners and industry speakers, including sessions on AI

Councillor Vicky Poole, Executive Member for Strategy and Governance, Commercialisation and Disabled Community Liaison, will be presenting West Berkshire Councils approach to Social Value. The programme will include straightforward guidance on public sector procurement, opportunities to ask questions, one-to-one conversations, a dedicated afternoon session for social care providers and industry speakers covering topics such AI and working with the wider public sector.

The Social Value Strategy is designed to make every pound spent work harder for West Berkshire. For larger contracts, at least 10 percent of the evaluation will focus on social value, giving suppliers the opportunity to show how their work can also support local jobs, skills, environmental improvements and community wellbeing.

As part of this, suppliers will be asked to contribute a percentage of contract revenue into a local grant pot. Not-for-profit organisations, CICs, community groups and charities will be able to apply for funding from the pot to support projects that benefit West Berkshire residents.

Councillor Vicky Poole, Executive Member for Strategy and Governance, Commercialisation and Disabled Community Liaison at West Berkshire Council, said: “Our new Procurement Strategy is about using the Council’s spending power to deliver better services, stronger local supply chains and wider benefits for communities across West Berkshire.

“Through Think Local, we want to make it easier for SMEs, VCSE organisations and community suppliers to understand and compete for Council opportunities. We want to increase our spend with SMEs from 14 percent to 20 percent and do more with VCSE organisations, so more investment supports local jobs, local services and local communities.

“The supplier day is an important opportunity to learn what is changing, meet the people involved and understand how social value can help local organisations strengthen their bids while supporting community projects.”

Suppliers are encouraged to attend the Meet the Buyer event to learn more about the new strategy and what it means for them. Refreshments and lunch will be provided. Spaces are limited and early booking is encouraged. Attendees must register in advance at: www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-buyer-tickets-1990868689844